Denver Justice & Peace Committeehttp://denjustpeace.org
Fri, 16 Mar 2018 01:06:08 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.7.9Fighting for a Better Life in Chiapashttp://denjustpeace.org/2018/03/fighting-for-a-better-life-in-chiapas/
http://denjustpeace.org/2018/03/fighting-for-a-better-life-in-chiapas/#respondFri, 16 Mar 2018 01:06:00 +0000http://denjustpeace.org/?p=5785DJPC board member, professor Lynn Holland will report back on her recent journey to Chiapas with a group of nine students from the University of Denver. She will describe how the people of Chiapas, the poorest state in Mexico, are fighting back against hazardous large-scale commercial projects by courageously protesting big mining operations, providing education for indigenous youth, choosing natural medicines, supporting women’s rights, and building sustainable living alternatives.

Thursday, March 29th, 2018
6:00 – 7:30 PM
“The Forum” at Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver
2201 S. Gaylord St. Denver, CO 80208
Light refreshments will be served.

NOTE THE CHANGE OF VENUE

]]>http://denjustpeace.org/2018/03/fighting-for-a-better-life-in-chiapas/feed/0Urgent Notice from the DJPC: You can make a difference!http://denjustpeace.org/2018/03/urgent-notice-from-the-djpc-you-can-make-a-difference/
http://denjustpeace.org/2018/03/urgent-notice-from-the-djpc-you-can-make-a-difference/#respondTue, 06 Mar 2018 23:07:13 +0000http://denjustpeace.org/?p=5779Urgent Notice from the DJPC: You can make a difference!

Honduras is currently in danger of returning to the era of authoritarian rule that prevailed in the 1980s. In response to a highly suspect presidential election in November, mass protest has erupted throughout much of the country. As the government has moved to crack down on protesters, reports of human rights violations have escalated. The military and national police are sweeping through several of the major cities, rounding up the leaders of the movement, and whisking them away to a military-run prison. There are reports that they have fired into crowds of protesters killing at least three dozen and wounding hundreds of others, while detaining over a thousand. Terrified witnesses tell of nighttime raids in which loved ones have disappeared into the night after being dragged from their beds by security forces.

The evidence that fraud took place during the election is considerable. With 58 percent of the vote in, opposition candidate Salvador Nasralla was predicted to win over incumbent Juan Orlando Hernández. Soon after that, however, the electoral system went dark and remained so for a full 36 hours. When the counting resumed, Hernández was gaining rapidly on his opponent and was declared the winner in the end by just 1 percent. While the U.S. quickly congratulated Hernández on his “win”, the OAS, citing “irregularities and deficiencies” declared it “impossible to grant any certainty to the result of this electoral process.”

We stand opposed to the arbitrary arrest and detention of peaceful protesters in Honduras and call on the Honduran government to release all political prisoners immediately. We also call on the government to respect the rights of peaceful protestors and hold all who violate these rights accountable. We call on the U.S. government to withhold all funding for the central government of Honduras until the problem of human rights violations and the fraudulent nature of the presidential election have been fully addressed.

Finally, we call on progressives, human rights advocates, defenders of democracy, and all people of faith and conscience to take a stand in support of democracy and human rights in Honduras. Please take a moment to contact your senators and ask them to support the Berta Cáceres Human Rights in Honduras Act.

]]>http://denjustpeace.org/2018/03/urgent-notice-from-the-djpc-you-can-make-a-difference/feed/0Forum: February 15th, 2018: Global Discontents: A Conversation With David Barsamian.http://denjustpeace.org/2018/02/forum-february-15th-2018-global-discontents-a-conversation-with-david-barsamian/
http://denjustpeace.org/2018/02/forum-february-15th-2018-global-discontents-a-conversation-with-david-barsamian/#respondWed, 07 Feb 2018 22:41:51 +0000http://denjustpeace.org/?p=5763Join us on Thursday: February 15th at 6:00 pm in a conversation with David Barsamian: Global Discontents. We will talk about world affairs, US imperialism in Latin America and global rebellions.

March with DJPC in the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. MARADE.

Join the movement celebrating the legacy of nonviolent civil disobedience of Martin Luther King Jr.

DJPC folks will meet on the southeast corner of 16th and Esplanade at 10:30 AM. We’ll be going down Esplanade St. to Colfax Ave., and ending at Civic Center Park.

Lorena Gaibor will be your contact person for DJPC: 732.586.2457

Get dressed for the weather, bring water and snacks.

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” MLK

Marade formation will begin immediately following the 9:30 a.m. program. The Marade will start at 10:45 a.m. sharp from the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I HAVE A DREAM MEMORIAL in City Park, under direction from the podium.

In January 2017 we had a critical assessment to discuss our path forward. Over the past year, we have put that strategy into effect, we want to share the lessons learned and continue building solidarity with the peoples of Latin America.

Join us to plan our activities for this year, your voices and opinions are important to us. We have done our work over almost four decades thanks to your call for justice, your dedication and your volunteer work.

]]>http://denjustpeace.org/2018/01/annual-planning-meeting-saturday-january-13th-2018/feed/0This note can only begin to give a glimpse of the solidarity and nonviolent activism that the DJPC took part in during the past year.http://denjustpeace.org/2017/12/this-note-can-only-begin-to-give-a-glimpse-of-the-solidarity-projects-and-nonviolent-activism-that-the-djpc-took-part-in-during-the-past-year/
http://denjustpeace.org/2017/12/this-note-can-only-begin-to-give-a-glimpse-of-the-solidarity-projects-and-nonviolent-activism-that-the-djpc-took-part-in-during-the-past-year/#respondTue, 12 Dec 2017 19:37:17 +0000http://denjustpeace.org/?p=5739December 2017

Sisters and Brothers:

This was my first full-year as a board member of the Denver Justice & Peace Committee. I wasn’t sure what that would entail or how I might be helpful, but I was honored that Jerry Stookey and Rebeca Zúniga-Hamlin encouraged me to join, and I’m so glad I did. It’s been a remarkable group of people to meet with every month or so to talk about all things DJPC. It’s also been a privilege to meet so many DJPC members and allies in other organizations that DJPC partners with. This note can only begin to give a glimpse of the solidarity projects and nonviolent activism that the DJPC took part in during the past year.

The effort of our Director alone would take many pages; but, suffice it to say that Rebeca has become a political force in Denver. In addition to guiding the DJPC through a transition of the board, and through financial challenges, she has coordinated forums, organized another memorable Awards Night, networked with multiple organizations, participated in several marches, stood with Standing Rock, played a major role the Border Encuentro, was interviewed on KGNU, maintains the deeply informative Denver Justice and Peace Committee Facebook page, created the DJPC YouTube channel, and so much more. Last April’s Forum on “Youth Perspective on Border Militarization” gives a sense of the sort of educational and life-changing political organizing that DJPC is a part of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P77EU9sM5tM

Aside from myself, 2017 was the first year for several other current board members. As with Rebeca, it would take several pages to cover the good work they’ve been doing over the past year. Elliot is the sole remaining long-standing board member, and we’re so glad he is still filling that role with the intelligence and heart that he brings to it. It’s also been a joy to get to know all the new board members – Lynn, Amy, Lorena and Kaelyn all embody the mission of DJPC to promote human rights. Most recently, three board members have had articles published on the brutal injustices of militarism and corporate imperialism, and in support of the people who believe that another world is possible.

To the many members, donors, friends and family of DJPC – too many to name –

THANK YOU for coming to our events, for stopping by our table, for “Liking” our Facebook page, for sharing your ideas, for funding this organization, and for the many ways you all make DJPC happen.

Let’s continue the conversations, the networking, the delegations, the forums and all the other solidarity work of DJPC’s 35 year legacy. As anti-capitalist as I may be, I wish I had invested in Amazon (or maybe Bitcoin) to ensure that DJPC would be sustained for another 35 years. All of us on the board and the many people who want to see DJPC thrive continue to brainstorm about the financial end of things. If people have fundraising suggestions (or Amazon stock), drop us a line. We’ve been tremendously encouraged by all the people who have become Sustaining Members, or have in other ways made the work of the past year possible. Let’s continue the struggle, and the community, in 2018!

Let’s do more of the same in 2018! Checks can be made to “DJPC Education Fund” or you can donate on our website at www.denjustpeace.org. As we seek seek stability, I encourage you to be a monthly at the level is comfortable for you, as low as $10 a month will go along way. You can do this through the website or setting up an automatic transfers.

In solidarity,

Preston Enright

]]>http://denjustpeace.org/2017/12/this-note-can-only-begin-to-give-a-glimpse-of-the-solidarity-projects-and-nonviolent-activism-that-the-djpc-took-part-in-during-the-past-year/feed/0Holiday Pot-Luck – Convivio de fin de añohttp://denjustpeace.org/2017/12/holiday-pot-luck-convivio-de-fin-de-ano/
http://denjustpeace.org/2017/12/holiday-pot-luck-convivio-de-fin-de-ano/#respondTue, 05 Dec 2017 22:46:33 +0000http://denjustpeace.org/?p=5735Join the DJPC Holiday Pot-Luck on Friday, December 15th at 6pm. Come and share your stories of how you made our solidarity work possible this year, our Forums, marching the MLK Parade, running the Colfax 5K, joining the world in the Day of Action Against Open Pit Mines, our annual Build for Peace at La Casita, the SOAW Border Convergence in Arizona y Sonora, learning more about how the peoples of Chiapas – Mexico resist and defend their lands and territories, and learning the lessons from El Salvador of legislative victories to favor the poor and protect water sources from mining pollution. Lets continue building community and embracing new partnerships. Bring a dish, drinks, and your favorite music to share. The whole family is welcome. Please RSVP at: djpc@denjuspeace.org.

The National Roundtable Against Metallic Mining – El Salvador to Receive Human Rights Award from the Denver Justice and Peace Committee

On Saturday November 4th, the Denver Justice and Peace Committee (DJPC) will present its annual Global Justice & Peace Award 2017 to The National Roundtable Against Metallic Mining, represented by Vidalina Morales, at the Highlands United Methodist Church, 3131 Osceola St. Denver, at 7:00 pm.

DJPC has been advocating for justice and peace in Latin America for the over three decades. We promote human rights and economic and environmental justice in Latin America through education. We support popular struggles in many countries where extractive corporations have been displacing peoples from their homelands and contaminating their environments. On Saturday, we will celebrate our work together with our community of supporters.

The National Roundtable Against Metallic Mining is a campesino-led movement in El Salvador. In March 2017, the Roundtable won an historic legislative victory by securing a prohibition against all metals mining in perpetuity. For a land-poor country with vulnerable water sources and a significant rural population that would be displaced by mining, this was an unexpected and unprecedented accomplishment. To relate the story of the movement and the details of the legislation, we have invited Ms. Vidalina Morales who is a leader in the National Roundtable.

We will also be honoring Sister Betty Voss with the John Proctor Member of the Year Award 2017. Sister Betty Voss, a Sister of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, has devoted herself to the cause of social justice throughout her life. She has taught at both the elementary and college levels in Illinois, Iowa, and Tennessee, and taught in a bilingual school in Guayaquil, Ecuador. In her early years in CO she took leadership in the Ecumenical Women’s Committee and received the Trish Dunn award for fostering ecumenicism. Through the “Nuns on the Bus” campaign, she joined the effort to increase voter participation among low income populations. Through her participation on the DJPC MineWatch committee, she has actively sought an end to mining pollution in Latin America and elsewhere.

Music for the event will be provided by Adolfo Romero. The emcee will be Jack Mudry of the local Denver jazz radio station KUVO, host of KUVO’s La Nueva Voz.

-end of release-

]]>http://denjustpeace.org/2017/11/the-national-roundtable-against-metallic-mining-el-salvador-to-receive-human-rights-award-from-the-denver-justice-and-peace-committee/feed/02018 John Proctor Member of the Year: Sister Betty Vosshttp://denjustpeace.org/2017/10/2018-john-proctor-member-of-the-year-sister-betty-voss/
http://denjustpeace.org/2017/10/2018-john-proctor-member-of-the-year-sister-betty-voss/#respondMon, 30 Oct 2017 13:01:40 +0000http://denjustpeace.org/?p=57232018 John Proctor Member of the Year: Sister Betty Voss

Sister Betty Voss, a Sister of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, has devoted herself to the cause of social justice throughout her life. She has taught at both the elementary and college levels in Illinois, Iowa, and Tennessee, and taught in a bilingual school in Guayaquil, Ecuador. In her early years in Colorado she took leadership in the Ecumenical Women’s Committee and received the Trish Dunn award for fostering ecumenicism. Through the “Nuns on the Bus” campaign, she joined the effort to increase voter participation among low income populations.Through her participation on the MineWatch committee, she has actively sought an end to mining pollution in Latin America and elsewhere. Her years of involvement in the DJPC and dedication to the cause of human rights have been invaluable.

]]>http://denjustpeace.org/2017/10/2018-john-proctor-member-of-the-year-sister-betty-voss/feed/0Awards Night: November 4th at 6:00pmhttp://denjustpeace.org/2017/10/awards-night-november-4th-at-600pm/
http://denjustpeace.org/2017/10/awards-night-november-4th-at-600pm/#respondTue, 17 Oct 2017 19:29:51 +0000http://denjustpeace.org/?p=5708Join us on November 4th to honor the outstanding achievement of The National Roundtable Against Metallic Mining, a campesino-led movement in El Salvador. In March 2017, the Roundtable won an historic legislative victory by securing a prohibition against all metals mining in perpetuity. For a land-poor country with vulnerable water sources and a significant rural population that would be displaced by mining, this was an unexpected and unprecedented accomplishment. http://noalamineria.org.sv

Awards Night will be held at 3131 Osceola Street, Denver CO in the Fellowship Hall of the Highlands United Methodist Church. We will start with a Reception and Silent Auction at 6:00 followed by the program at 7:00 pm. Suggested donation $20 (no one turned back), tickets can be purchased at the door.